Straight-set victories for both Andy Murray and Serena Williams. The defending champions in fine form. That's a wrap from me but top seed Novak Djokovic will strut onto Ashe at about midnight for the start of the night sessions so don't forget to tune in for that. Bye for now.

Wayne Bryan, father and coach of the Bryan brothers, on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "Serena was just too good, offensively and retrieving the ball. However, Sloane received great applause from the crowd and had three big wins, so she's had a good tournament."

2250:

"How excited are we for the future of American tennis," Serena asks the crowd. "I wanted to say calm and stay relaxed, and stay composed." Serena goes on to thank one lady for "cheering really hard".

2248:

Stephens says thank you to Williams at the net, perhaps another lesson learnt for the 20-year-old. Williams can now make plans for the last eight where she will face 18th seed Carla Suarez Navarro, who beat Germany's eighth-seeded Angelique Kerber 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3).

GAME, SET AND MATCH- Williams 6-4 6-1 Stephens

A 121mph serve gives Williams triple match points. "Come on, Serena" shouts one gentleman from the stands. The umpire asks for quite and, eventually, the spectators listen. Backhand long from Williams... reprieve for Stephens. Two match points remaining... the Williams serve falters... One match point remaining... Stephens nets a forehand and it is the reigning champ who goes through to the quarter-finals.

Williams breaks- *Williams 6-4 5-1 Stephens

Williams grunting and groaning with every strike, while at the other side of the net Stephens is silent, dumbstruck perhaps, but definitely helpless as Williams ratchets two break points. The 20-year-old crumbles, a forehand drifting into the tramlines. Williams a game away from victory.

Williams 6-4 4-1 Stephens*

Williams forcing Stephens onto her heels, the power of those groundstrokes sending Stephens back towards the baseline. It's a comfortable hold for Williams which gives me time to tell you that Lleyton Hewitt has beaten Evgeny Donskoy 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-1

Williams breaks- *Williams 6-4 3-1 Stephens

Right, so, we're at 30-30, both ladies have upped the ante. That's the summary, here's what happens next: Stephens nudges ahead to 40-30 with a nonchalant forehand winner into the corner. But her occasional brilliance is overshadowed by needless errors. The 20-year-old double faults and a fabulous forehand return takes Williams to advantage. The top seed somehow retrieves a deep Stephens forehand and breaks!

Wayne Bryan, father and coach of the Bryan brothers, on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "It is definitely one of the best games I've seen at the US Open. Both girls are ripping the ball and most points are won, not lost. Both girls are letting the ball fly today. Sloane lost that first set in Australia [Australian Open in January] and came back to win it."

Williams 6-4 2-1 Stephens*

Williams directs an overhead towards Stephens who gives out a high-pitched scream, as if she's discovered a Daddy Long Legs in the shower. Who wouldn't scream in either scenario? I don't think the top seed deliberately took aim at the 20-year-old, but the result is to conclude a comfortable hold to love.

*Williams 6-4 1-1 Stephens

A yee-hawingly good point which has Momma Williams clapping even though her daughter loops a forehand into the tramlines, a Stephens half-volley too hot to handle. Williams then goes long, allowing Stephens to complete one of her more straightforward holds. In other news, Denis Istomin will be Andy Murray's next opponent after he beat Andreas Seppi 6-3 6-4 2-6 3-6 6-1.

Williams 6-4 1-0 Stephens*

The wind is a little tamer at the start of the second set, which is good news for the spectators who are within touching distance of the airplanes which fly over Ashe. Stephens sneaks ahead to 15-30, but a whopper of a serve down the middle allows Williams to level at 30-30. "Come on," yells Williams and she celebrates with a mini twirl as an unstoppable forehand down the line eases her to within a point of the game. What we have learned about Stephens, though, is that she will get up from the canvas even when everyone thinks she's toast. A forehand into the tape from Williams - break point Stephens. The Williams forehand gets her out of trouble and after some toing and froing between deuce and advantage, Stephens drags a forehand wide for a Williams hold.

GAME AND FIRST SET- *Williams 6-4 Stephens

Stephens needs to dig deep once again as Williams notches a set break point. Sister, Venus, is caught on camera, she's motionless, it's as if she's watching a game of bowls on a village green. A Williams backhand sails over the baseline. Stephens lives on. Deuce. Advantage Stephens. Deuce. Blows traded from the baseline... Stephens goes long - her 18th unforced error - Second set point Williams. Cute forehand into the corner from Stephens. Deuce. Williams is on her knees, the crowd are baying for more, as the top seed's backhand hits the tape by the slenderest of margins. Onwards we go, though, third set point Williams - and Stephens is wild and wide with a forehand. The world number one clenches her fist when really all she wants to say is "gotcha".

Williams 5-4 Stephens*

The excitable fans in the crowd scream as if they're on a rollercoaster, they can't bear to watch Williams lunging from tramline to tramline. Stephens has the upper hand and Williams can do little but go long. For all yelps from the crowd, it is the 20-year-old's only point of the match as Williams holds to 15.

*Williams 4-4 Stephens

A shake of the head from Stephens, whose shoulders slump, after netting a backhand to give the top seed a break point. The 20-year-old mutters to herself and comes back fighting - her serve getting her out of trouble. Stephens eases to advantage and levels the match when Williams nets a return.

Stephens breaks- Williams 4-3 Stephens*

The world number one grunting and groaning as she attempts to obliterate her rival from the baseline, but Stephens will not slip quietly into the background. The American number two, donning a violet dress, pounces towards the net to punish a tame Williams lob. A wry smile from Williams, as if to say 'what else have you got?'. Stephens has to do little, though, very little indeed, as Williams double faults, gifting Stephens a break point. Williams's first serve then finds the tape... Second serve goes long... Oh my! Gasps from the fans on Ashe.

Williams breaks- *Williams 4-2 Stephens

The top seed continuing to pose Stephens problems and the 20-year-old plonks a simple-looking forehand volley into the net to award Williams two break points. And it's a yelp of delight from the top seed as she leaves her opponent floundering thanks to a thumping return.

Williams 3-2 Stephens*

Oohs from the spectators as Stephens, preparing to face a Williams serve, steps in from the baseline only she thwack the ball into the tape. Perhaps a number of the fans on Ashe backing the underdog, although, in truth, it's too early to tell. An easy peasy hold for Williams, whose serve looks impenetrable.

*Williams 2-2 Stephens

The Americans would say there's 'beef' between the pair, mainly because Stephens was quoted in a magazine article saying Williams had snubbed her after the youngster's victory in Melbourne. Williams had apparently committed a grave crime: hitting that unfollow button on Twitter. Terrible. Back to the tennis, though, and Stephens saves a break point with a funky crosscourt winner. The 20-year-old is ice cool, forcing Williams to falter from the baseline for advantage. But Williams pulls Stephens towards the net with a drop shot and the 20-year-old nets a volley. Groans on Ashe as Stephens double faults. Deuce. Advantage. Deuce. Six minutes elapse... Double fault gifts Williams a third break point but Stephens wriggles free to level. Three break points saved. Phew.

Williams 2-1 Stephens*

Williams screeching after every serve she directs towards Stephens. At 40-0, the top seed is cruising - but ruins what would have been a perfect scorecard with a double fault before nudging ahead thanks to another fabulous ace.

*Williams 1-1 Stephens

Brilliant returning from Williams to level at 15-15 and the defending champion's response is to calmly turn her back, take a few deep breaths before taking up position on the baseline. The 20-year-old Stephens, though, packs a powerful punch - a fierce forehand winner down the line, full of fizz and bite, for 40-15. But a double fault gives Williams a sniff, and you don't want to give a 16-time Grand Slam winner a sniff at this stage. Backhand into the net. Deuce. Silence on Ashe. The pair slug it one from the baseline... "Yeah" shouts one fan, he thinks he's at a rodeo... Williams and Stephens go blow for blow before Williams sends a forehand long. Stephens eventually holds on.

Williams 1-0 Stephens*

A 118mph first serve from Williams. Tasty. Williams, her dress fluttering in the breeze, races 40-0 ahead and Stephens finding the Williams serve too hot to handle. The younger American nets a return and it's a hold to love.

2117:

Stephens, of course, defeated Williams in the Australian Open, which was the first time the world number one had lost to a younger American. It then all kicked-off between the pair. Apparently. Stephens is on the baseline, waiting for Williams... We're nearly ready to go...

2114:

A number of the fans in the front rows are on their feet, a few are stretching their limbs, others are taking pictures of Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams limbering up.

"She's got to come and say, 'Hey, young lady, you won one time - that's enough. You're still in diapers. I'm the momma; you've got to wait a couple more years.'"

Andy Priestley "This is the new Andy Murray we're seeing emerge. Sweeping through Grand Slam rounds with ease. Amazing what some confidence can do."

2107:

LATEST RESULTS

Last year's semi-finalist Tomas Berdych has yet to drop a set in New York, beating 31st seed Julien Benneteau 6-0 6-3 6-2. The Czech will face Stanislas Wawrinka in the last 16 after the Swiss beat Marcos Baghdatis 6-3 6-2 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (7-1). Right, back to Ashe...

Piers Newbery, BBC Sport in New York

Monday's schedule is out and there's great news for Britain's Colin Fleming and Jonny Marray as they will feature in the second night session match against top seeds and all-American heroes, the Bryan brothers, in the doubles quarter-finals. The Scottish-English partnership, seeded 12th, will follow Rafael Nadal against Philipp Kohlschreiber, so they're keeping pretty good company these days.

2058:

As Mr Newbery points out, Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens are next on Ashe. The popcorn match, the all-American grudge match, call it what you want, the Americans are a tad excited about this one and, to be honest, so are we. There will be game-by-game coverage as the American number one goes racquet-to-racquet with the pretender to her throne.

Piers Newbery, BBC Sport in New York

Any win in under two hours is welcome at this stage of a Grand Slam, and especially so when played in a sauna. The good news for Murray is that Denis Istomin and Andreas Seppi have just gone into a fourth on Court 17, taking just a little bit more out of the winner's legs ahead of Tuesday. And it's not often the defending US Open and Wimbledon champion has to play the role of warm-up act, but the imminent arrival of Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens on Ashe feels like the big draw today.

2053:

Murray puts his signature to a few balls before smashing them into the crowd. The Briton will next play either 20th seed Andreas Seppi or Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Istomin is leading the Italian two sets to one.

2049:

"He's a very tricky opponent, he plays a lot of strange shots," says Murray of Mayer. "At the end of the first set and for the second set it was extremely hot. We've been told the sun is coming so hopefully that will take away some of the humidity over the next few days. I feel a lot more comfortable coming into these events than I did this time last year."

GAME, SET AND MATCH- Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 6-2 Mayer

Marvellous! Magical! Mayer thinks he has outfoxed the Scot with the drop shot, but Murray sprints towards the tape and unleashes an irretrievable volley from the zaniest of angles. The Scot two points away from victory. Mayer nets. Match point. The Scot sends Mayer scampering hither and tither before the German can take no more and directs a forehand into the tape.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 5-2 Mayer*

A humdinger of an ace to the wings. 30-0. Overhead volley from Mayer followed by a clumsy forehand into the net from Murray stops the Scot's procession. 30-30. Careful, Andy, careful. Mayer in the last chance saloon and enjoying himself, a bullet of a forehand for break point. Murray wriggles free, though, and ends the game with a venomous serve down the T.

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 4-2 Mayer

Murray reins in his rival to 30-30 with a pin-point perfect backhand into the corner. The Scot attempts to turn the screw, but squanders a break point. Last throw of the dice for the German... comes up with a double fault - ouch - break point Murray. Danger averted for Mayer, though, and he serves and volleys his way out of trouble.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 4-1 Mayer*

Murray quickly accumulates three points and Mayer is in trouble. The German advances to the net but all he can do is watch a Murray forehand whizzing by. Another comfortable hold for the defending champion and the match, you sense, is almost over.

MURRAY BREAKS- *Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 3-1 Mayer

The majority of the 23,000 Ashe ticket holders are now in their seats and they applaud in unison as Murray sprints towards the baseline and performs a neat pirouette to conjure a crosscourt winner. Mayer on the ropes... Murray not afraid to kick an opponent when he's down... He dashes to the net, a backhand volley earning him a break point. The Scot relentless, stepping in to swat away a winning return.

Spurspam "Murray is on fire. His body language is so different from first set."

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 2-1 Mayer*

Oof! Backhand passing shot from Murray concludes a delightful opening rally. The German punishes a 79mph Murray serve, though, with a two-handed return down the line for 15-15. It gets better for Murray - an ace down the middle for 40-15 followed a booming backhand wraps up the game.

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 1-1 Mayer

The German races 40-0 ahead, and although Murray nicks one point on the Mayer serve the 29-year-old levels without much fuss.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 1-0 Mayer*

Murray sucking in oxygen before launching another howitzer of a serve. It's tough work on Ashe, but the Scot has plenty of juice left in the tank, pouncing like a panther at the net and beating Mayer with a beautiful passing shot to edge to within a point of holding. Mayer errs once again, leaving the defending champion untroubled.

Piers Newbery, BBC Sport in New York

A better set from Murray with a couple of beautiful backhand returns to get the first break and an improving first serve, although the growing crowd is struggling to get fully engaged on such a sultry afternoon. Apart from the Argentine journalist displaying some wonderful dad dancing at every changeover. Hands on the hips, and wiggle...

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 Mayer

Almost telepathic from Murray as he steps in to thump a winning return crosscourt. The Scot is turning the screw. Mayer directs a first serve out to the wings... Murray simply conjures another crosscourt winner for set point. Impressive from Murray. Mayer has no response, he dashes towards the tape but sends a volley beyond the baseline and the defending champion is two sets to the good.

Andrew Priestley "Mayer's resistance has been broken. The error count is creeping up as the tiredness creeps in. Stroll in the park for Andy now."

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 5-2 Mayer*

Murray sending Mayer lunging from tramline to tramline before dragging the German to the net with a drop shot. The Scot can do what he wants with the 29-year-old, he is at Murray's mercy - but the third seed is a touch too casual with a lob and the German wins his first point of the game for 40-15. The Scot, though, directs a serve out to the wings and Mayer can only get the tip of his racquet the serve, directing the ball into the crowd.

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 4-2 Mayer

Murray nets a return which allows Mayer to gallop to 40-0 at breakneck speed. The German perhaps regretting letting his first service game of the set slip with such ease. Murray reins in his opponent to 40-30, but a backhand crosscourt winner from Mayer halts Murray's hopes of a fightback.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 4-1 Mayer*

Clinical from Murray, ruthless even, as he wraps up an emphatic hold to love with a crackerjack of an ace down the middle. Mayer would not have been able to retrieve that ball even if he'd set off to chase it down yesterday.

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 3-1 Mayer

Mayer retired in the first round to Jack Sock last year because of dizziness, just thought I'd let you know. The German races through that service game, holding to love.

Jeremy Bates, BBC Radio 5 live

Andy Murray looking more comfortable on court as he steps up through the gears. Every first service is over 130mph mark and his returning game is excellent.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 3-0 Mayer*

Murray requests a towel to wipe his sweaty mane after allowing Mayer back into contention at 30-30. The Scot sweating like a Tom Jones impersonator at a disco, and understandably so because, we're told, it's humid in the Big Apple. Murray double faults to gift Mayer a break point - and that is unusual - but, worry not Murray fans, the defending champion holds on.

*Murray 7-6 (7-2) 2-0 Mayer

Murray won his two previous meetings with Mayer, of course, both of which were on clay, but they were tight matches. This opening set was close but the German could find himself out of contention in the second set before it has truly begun. Two break points Murray... The Scot's lob goes long... but he has another chance and Mayer concedes with a whimper, a backhand into the net giving the defending champion the early advantage.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) 1-0 Mayer*

Four aces from Murray in that opening set but only 44% of his first serves hit the target, while Mayer had 67% of his first serves in. The German ended up losing the set, though, mainly because Murray won 94% of points on his first serve and 65% on his second. Back to the action, and it's a hold to 15 for Murray.

Murray 7-6 (7-2) Mayer*

A ruthless Murray produces an ace to eke a 2-0 advantage and Mayer then drags a forehand into the tramlines to present the Scot with a mini break. The pressure mounting... the German crumbling,.. though he earns his first point of the tie-break when Murray directs a return into the barrier. Murray in control - 5-1 at the changeover.

Mayer produces a fabulous backhand winner to end a lively rally, but the German is merely delaying the inevitable because the Scot has far too many set points to play with and, immediately following that delightful point, the set is over.

TIE-BREAK- Murray 6-6 Mayer*

The camera captures Ivan Lendl muttering something or other to himself, though the next point from Murray - a spinning backhand down the line for 40-0 - would surely have pleased the coach. And we're into a tie-break! Mayer nets. Murray calls for a towel. Stand by...

Piers Newbery, BBC Sport in New York

Some very cute kids are chanting "Mu-rray! Mu-rray! Mu-rray!" but the object of their affection is not in a particularly receptive mood as he struggles to get going, a first-serve percentage of 29% not exactly helping matters.

*Murray 5-6 Mayer

Mayer can't negotiate the barrier on his backhand. which gifts Murray an easy point for 30-15. The German looks in trouble... he's dragged towards the net - but retrieves a Murray forehand and responds with a fabulous crosscourt volley. Murray below his best and it will be a tie-break at best for the Scot.

Murray 5-5 Mayer*

Murray grunting and groaning as he throws one flame thrower of a shot after another towards Mayer. A thumping forehand winner takes the Scot to 30-15, and his lady friend Kim Sears, who is in shades, applauds. "Mayer's timing the ball beautifully," says Jeremy Bates on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, but the German isn't quite good enough to test the Briton's serve.

*Murray 4-5 Mayer

Mayer is an idiosyncratic player, skipping along the baseline - always with one leg in the air when walloping groundstrokes back towards his opponent. On the other side of the net is Andy Murray, shoulders slumped and trudging along the baseline. The Scot isn't full of vim and vigour today, but we shouldn't read anything into that. Not yet anyway. There haven't been many rallies in this match, a 15-shot slug-fest in that game one of the lengthier ones. Another simple hold. Murray serving to stay in the set.

Murray 4-4 Mayer*

The score in Fleming and Marray's doubles match? You guys want the moon on the stick, honestly. The Brits won in straight sets 6-4 6-4. Back on Ashe, Mayer is stepping some distance inside the baseline in his attempt to attack the Murray serve, but his plan has little dividends and he's left berating himself on the baseline. The Scot eases a point away from the game with a crisp passing shot and a wild Mayer backhand allows Murray to hold to 30.

*Murray 3-4 Mayer

Two easy opening points for Mayer - a clumsy backhand from Murray leaving many pursing their lips. No chink in Mayer's armour so far, Murray sending a return long for another comfortable hold. By the way, Colin Fleming and Jonathan Marray are through to the fourth round of the men's doubles after beating sixth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Murray 3-3 Mayer*

Mayer steps in to punish a Murray second serve for 15-15. The Scot, though, has the German on his heels in the next point thanks to a backhanded drop shot, which allows him to advance to the net to leave the 29-year-old floundering. Unspectacular from Murray so far, but he doesn't need to work his way through the gears yet.

*Murray 2-3 Mayer

Mayer has never been beyond the third round in New York. He is unlikely to this year, but he has at least started promisingly against the third seed and is solid on his own serve. A straightforward hold for the German, another game in the bag.

Murray 2-2 Mayer*

The Scot placed a towel wrapped with ice over his shoulders during the changeover, an indication perhaps of the humid conditions on Ashe. Murray eases to 40-0 but Mayer punctures the Scot's perfect scorecard with a funky backhand winner down the line. The German then attacks - he skips towards the net, it looks promising for the underdog, but he meekly plonks a backhand volley into the tape.

*Murray 1-2 Mayer

A wonderful start by the 29-year-old German who comfortably holds to love, concluding the match with an irretrievable crosscourt volley. Bravo! Murray trundles back to his seat and has an agonised look on his face.

Murray 1-1 Mayer*

Murray spoke highly of Mayer ahead of this encounter. "He's very tough, has a good slice backhand, but he hits it with two hands," said the defending champ. "He has a very good feel up at the net, hits a lot of drop-shots." The German content to step in from the baseline, swinging from the hips, which earns him two points on the Murray serve but no more.

Piers Newbery, BBC Sport in New York

A bit of Metallica announces the arrival of Murray and Mayer onto Ashe, followed by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. It's like freshers' week 1991 all over again. The forecast was gloomy but it's bright, sunny and stiflingly humid, which won't bother Murray one bit as he spends much of his time in Florida these days. Mayer could be tricky with his unorthodox backhand and ability to come to the net, but Murray's strength from the baseline should prevail.

*Murray 0-1 Mayer

A drop shot from the German on the opening point signals his intent to at least attempt to keep his opponent guessing. "It's not funny," says Andy Murray as a line judge erroneously yells "out!" when, in fact, replays prove the ball kissed the tramline. Would have been break point to Murray, but it matters little as the 29-year-old once again errs to present the Scot with his first break point. Mayer battles back. Toing and froing between deuce and advantage before Mayer wraps up the game in six minute with Murray netting a backhand.

1847:

BBC coverage

There's just enough time to remind you that you can listen to live coverage of this match on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra where Jeremy Bates is one of the guests.

1846:

MURRAY WARMING UP

Where were we? Ah, yes, Andy Murray. Britain's best tennis player has only lost four matches at this stage in a Grand Slam (the last 16) while his opponent Florian Mayer has reached the quarter-finals of a major twice. The two rivals are currently warming up in front of a sparse crowd. One gentleman is using a piece of paper as a fan. It's hot and humid.

1844:

As is always the case in tennis tournaments - during the earlier rounds at least - other tennis players are available and today's selection includes Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas, Tomas Berdych, Agnieszka Radwanska, Carla Suarez Navarro and Angelique Kerber. A line up as tasty as a giant pretzel dipped in sugar, huh? Berdych, by the way, is a set up and serving for a 2-0 lead against Julien Benneteau

1840:

SUNDAY ON ARTHUR ASHE

Yes, defending champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams take top billing for the next few hours or so, while the men's top seed Novak Djokovic will don his top hat and tails to perform a little number under the flood lights later on.

Here is how the day will unfold on Arthur Ashe:

Andy Murray (GBR) v Florian Mayer (Ger)

Serena Williams (USA) v Sloane Stephens (USA)

Novak Djokovic (Srb) v Joao Sousa (Por)

Jelena Jankovic (Srb) v Li Na (Chn)

1838:

Hello! It's Labor Day weekend on the other side of the Atlantic and the folks in charge of the US Open have concocted a schedule worthy of honouring what those Stateside regard as the last days of summer. If you're feeling melancholy and a little autumnal then worry not because Andy Murray and Serena Williams will brighten up these ever darkening days...

1835:

There are a number of ways to celebrate the last weekend of the summer. Covering yourself in colourful plumes and walking down the city streets on stilts is one option, but perhaps the safer choice would be to drizzle some maple syrup over the popcorn and lose yourself in an evening of tennis.

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